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Physicists Finally Solve the Falling-Paper Problem

Posted by michael on Sunday October 31, 2004 @06:15AM from the falling-down dept.

neutron_p writes "The so-called "falling paper" problem has long intrigued scientists. James C. Maxwell pondered the tumbling motions of playing cards in 1853. Why don't flat things fall straight down? Pieces of paper fall down, then rise into the air, then glide along, then again rise... It occurs in a seemingly chaotic manner. Now researchers at Cornell University have solved the falling paper problem by calculating the motions of a scientific journal page in flight and there were a few surprises." There's also a story in the Cornell Sun.

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Third post by Anonymous Coward · 2004-10-31 06:18 · Score: -1, Offtopic

I DID IT!
Re:Paper! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-10-31 06:29 · Score: -1, Offtopic

HOLY FUCK!

It got modded interesting.
Re:Paper! by sheetsda · 2004-10-31 06:44 · Score: 0, Offtopic

This has been happening a lot lately, I suspect the moderators feel they're being ripped off when they moderate someone funny because being moderated funny doesn't add to karma. Just a guess.
Re:Scientests figure out how paper falls. by Anonymous Coward · 2004-10-31 07:03 · Score: -1, Offtopic

Oh my god, a fugue! better continue it (mod parent down -1, Stupid)
Re:Real Nice, by xenocytekron · 2004-10-31 07:09 · Score: 0, Offtopic

Lunar eclipses are boring.

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Yes, But Does It Explain... by wildsurf · 2004-10-31 08:59 · Score: -1, Offtopic

Why Paper beats Rock, but is defeated by Scissors?

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